Big Bogan Festival by Angie White

Music Festivals are a part of the tapestry of Australian culture. As Aussies we just love our music, and it shows by the number of music events hosted across the nation. How good is the buzz of being in a mosh pit, arms in the air yelling out the lyrics of a favourite song with the beat of the music running though you, surrounded by friends and hundreds of strangers all doing the same. Not only that but it provides so many up-and-coming artists of every variety, style and genre a place to perform and show off their artistry. According to research in the past year 91% of Australian Millennials (aged 18-34) attended a live event being driven by a strong desire to connect with people, our communities, and the world. Proof that offline connection is so much more meaningful than online.

Groovin the Moo, Splendour in the Grass, Elvis Festival, Tamworth country music festival, Byron Bay Bluesfest, CMC Rocks, Abba Festival, Falls Festival just to name a few, and last year a small town in Western NSW threw its hat in the ring and held “The Big Bogan” Festival. Now don’t be fooled by the “Bogan” bit, these music lovers were drawn to the small town of Nyngan for the music with an amazing line up of country music superstars and even rain and lightning did nothing to dampen their spirits. With mullets, flannies, thongs and drinks in hand the country crowd danced and sang in the rain. It wasn’t until the roof of the stage fell in and the whole event had to be reorganised under the roof of the footy shed canteen that you smiled and realised you were in country Australia.

From a stage of high-tech sound and lighting to a skeleton music set up under a tin shed, the crowd got a more than up close and personal experience with professional artists who took it all in their stride as they belted out their hits crammed in with the crowd. And it’s not just the fans who love it, Christie Lamb, a CMAA Golden Guitar winner and CMC Female Artist of the year title holder was excited to hit the road to Nyngan for the Festival. “This was my first time travelling out to Nyngan and it hopefully won’t be my last,” she said. “There’s nothing quite like a country crowd’s enthusiasm and energy,” she said. Christie and headline artist James Johnston made the best of a crazy situation showing their true professionalism and show must go on attitude.

In 2019 research by industry bodies estimated that Music festivals contributed around 5.7 billion dollars to the economy with around 9.7 million patrons attending ticketed live music events. People go to great lengths to get tickets for their favourite artists with the recent Taylor Swift ticket frenzy a perfect example. Missy Lancaster, a CMC and Golden Guitar award nominee, is a singer songwriter from Picton NSW, and she couldn’t wait to get to the Bogan Festival. “I’ve been travelling to Nyngan since I was a little girl.” said Missy. “My first horse ride was in Nyngan, including my first fall off a horse,” she laughed. “To come and play country music there was awesome, we love the country crowd and it’s great to see everyone come together in a small country town and celebrate country music,” she said. “We loved it.”

Hayley Jensen a two-time CMAA Golden Guitar Female artist of the year finalist was one of the top line artists to star in the Bogan Festival. Hayley shot to fame as a finalist on Australian idol, where she was dubbed the whole package by her coach Kylie Minogue. “There’s absolutely nothing like a country crowd! The band and I had the best time playing at the Bogan Festival in Nyngan. Thankfully we got to play on the main stage before the big storm came rolling into town, but no one was about to let a bit of rain stop them from having a good time! I’m so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to travel our beautiful countryside to perform at festivals such as this one. And it’s always really nice to meet local people face to face after a show too & find out a bit about them,” said Hayley.

It’s all about the good times, great music and country fun and in the words of Abba – “Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing, thanks for all the joy they’re bringing, who can live without it I ask in all honesty – what would life be, without a song or a dance, what are we? So, I say thank you for the music, for giving it to me.” ( I bet you just sang that !!)

👉  This story excerpt is from Issue #17 of Kickin Up Dust magazine: September 2023